By Kuvee Kangueehi Okakarara Uakutjo Kambazembi was installed as the sixth chief of the Kambazembi Royal House at the Onguatjindu, Okakarara, on Saturday morning. The new chief succeeds his uncle, Tuvahi David Kambazembi, who tragically passed away last year while on a mission to find his grandfather’s grave in South Africa. The historical event was witnessed by hundreds of people, including a representative of the Namibian Government; the German Ambassador to Namibia, Arne Von Kitllitz; a representative of King Eliphas Kauluma, Philemon Nangolo; and other Herero chiefs such as Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako, Chief Alphons Maharero and Chief Christian Zeraua. The former Director-General of the National Planning Commission, Dr Zed Ngavirue, who is also a member of the Kambazembi Royal House, was at the occasion and introduced the new chief, congratulated him and gave him a parental message. Ngavirue said the new Chief Uakutjo was born in the Kunene Region where his mother still lives, and started his schooling in the region as well. He noted that the 38-year-old Uakutjo is a responsible, married man with three children. In the parental message, Ngavirue, besides saying that charity begins at home, said that Uakutjo should conduct himself in a manner that will bring honour to the Kambazembi Royal House, whose tradition of generosity and sense of justice were well known. He said that, as a public servant, Uakutjo should emulate the public spirit of Chief Hosea Kutako. “Kutako’s objective was the liberation of Namibia and he did not seek a restoration of his once powerful Mungunda clan.” He added that Kutako, by serving his people selflessly, brought honour to his clan and the name of Kutako. Giving a brief history of the Kambazembi Royal House, Ngavirue said that from the principal wife, Kaava, Kambazembi had three sons, namely Kazetjinuvazere, Salatiel Kambazembi and Uanihe. From his second wife, Katjikuva, he had one son, Kaperive; from his third wife, Hivaka, he had David Kambazembi (snr); from the fourth wife, Jakutira, he had two sons Kamuheze and Katjendjinda. On Kambazembi’s death, Salatiel and David Kambazembi virtually formed a dual leadership. Salatiel, being from the principal house, inherited the holy fire and also had jurisdiction over people at Otjozondjupa, while David Kambazembi went to settle at Otjihurarume and had jurisdiction over the rest of the Kambazembi people. However, David Kambazembi distinguished himself as a warrior chief during the Herero-German war and fled with Chief Samuel Maharero first to Botswana and then to Transvaal where died. Salatiel, making use of the strong friendship between Kambazembi and the Ndonga King particularly Nehale Ka Mufingwe, fled to the North. He was, among other places, in the Ndonga Kingdom, where his mother, Kaava, died, and also in Ongandjera, but later at Evanda in present-day southern Angola with Chief Vita. He and many of his followers returned in 1915 when the German troops surrendered at Khorab. He came back to Otjozondjupa only in 1919, the year the Germans lost their colonies. Upon his death in 1941, Josephat, the son of his younger brother Uanihe, succeeded Salatiel. When Josephat died in 1960, his heirs were his own sons Julius and Tuvahi David Kambazembi jnr. Although Julius should have been the first in line of succession, he died young and Tuvahi David Kambazembi therefore became the chief. The late Chief Kambazembi was born in exile in Botswana but returned home to lead the Onguatjindu Royal House. He was summoned to assume leadership for the Onguatjindu Royal House, despite the fact that he was born and lived in exile in Botswana. The late Chief Kambazembi’s place of birth was Kauletsi (Seleka) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, on July 20, 1932. Kambazembi was pronounced dead on arrival at Marapong Private Hospital on July 14, 2006. Other guests who attended the ceremony were representatives of the Kapuka of the Vita Royal House and the Otjikaoko Traditional Authority. Some members of parliament, including DTA’s Katuutire Kaura, McHenry Venaani and Asser Mbai, also attended the occasion.